My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Crescent willow moon

Cut two disks from cardboard

Cut two disks from cardboard.

Draw another circle on each disk

Draw another circle on each disk to create the crescent shape.

Cut out the half moon shapes

Cut out the half moon shapes.

Glue the tips of the half moon to connect

Glue the tips of the half moon to connect the shape.

Glue in a strip of cardboard to separate the two halves

Glue in a strip of cardboard to separate the two halves.

Add a few more strips of cardboard to create a sturdy shape

Add a few more strips of cardboard to create a sturdy shape.

Make sure the shape will hold by pressing the edges

Make sure the shape will hold by pressing the edges. Add more cardboard to support any areas that buckles.

Knot a pliable willow stem around the cardboard

Knot a pliable willow stem around the cardboard.

Wrap the willow to closely follow the cardboard shape

Wrap the willow to closely follow the cardboard shape.

Use the thinnest stems for the smaller end pieces.

Use the thinnest stems for the smaller end pieces so that you can wrap it closely to the cardboard.

Then wrap pliable willow tips around the thicker stems to secure it in place

Then wrap pliable willow tips around the thicker stems to secure it in place.

Set the willow armature aside so that the pliable stems can dry

Set the willow armature aside so that the pliable stems can dry permanently into the crescent shape.

Soak the cardboard and willow in warm water

Once dry, soak the cardboard and willow in warm water

Carefully remove the soggy cardboard

Carefully remove the soggy cardboard.

Bend wire into little legs

Bend wire into little legs...

And wrap it around the willow stems in the armature to secure

And wrap the wire around the willow stems in the armature to secure

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.

3 January 2011 Syringe with tube

Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase

30 May 2012 Drying Hydrangeas: Fast, Flat or Natural

Use all three methods to dry hydrangeas to get three very different textures to use in design work.

12 September 2018 Off-center hole-wreath armature

Craft a slightly off center wreath from dried vines and grasses for Phalaenopsis orchids.

26 August 2015 Sun baked Sweetpea vine wreath

A perfect way to use a Lathyrus vine after all it flowered

1 July 2015 Washi paper (Rakusui) split tube

Rip up the Washi paper for a lace fine armature for floral art

16 December 2015 Ivy vine Christmas tree mobile

Twist ivy vines around a cardboard shape to create a lace fine Christmas tree mobile.

Favourite Flowers

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow

Hydrangea

Hydrangea, when cultivated as a cut flower rather as a plant it is often revered to as Hortensia

Related Designs

21 November 2018 Rules!

The first design I did for my book launch demonstration looking at aspects that influences my effortless style of designing.

21 November 2018 The effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter's guide to crafting with nature Book Launch Demonstration

My book launch demonstration was hosted by my flower-buddies from the Capilano Flower Arranging Club. We looked at what influences our own effortless style... that "thing" that...

7 September 2022 Of the shades to come

This design requires a bit of prep-time so it is perfect to make while waiting for the first autumn leaf to appear…

12 September 2018 Hole-ding it’s breath

Craft an almost Autumn armature from dried sweet pea vines

19 September 2018 Before I show you my book- let me show you my book

… and why we call this the special craftsmanship edition

26 August 2015 Bent

Weave a wreath from sweetpea stems and tendrils

1 July 2015 At a Stretch

Glue a paper tube floral art structure

16 December 2015 Christmas Waves

Twist a Kalanchoe and Ivy vine Christmas tree mobile